On Aug. 17, BBC America is introducing a franchise called Dramaville, which will serve as a showcase for top British dramatic series and films. The network bills it as "the home of groundbreaking British drama." Elba, who played Stringer Bell with such power and grace, will serve as host.

If you need an old-school model to help you get your head around the concept think PBS "Masterpiece Theatre" and the late Alastair Cooke. I did say "old school."

Only Elba will also be featured in the series when his detective series "Luther" returns in September. The performance has earned Elba a lead actor Emmy nomination.

But here's the news that I find most exciting: BBC America will launch Dramaville on Aug. 17 with a new six-part mystery-thriller, "The Hour," starring Dominic West, a.k.a. Jimmy McNulty, of "The Wire." And West is terrific in the role of an anchorman on a BBC news program of the 1950s.

The series is terrific, too. Think "Good Night and Good Luck," the George Clooney feature film version of Edward R. Murrow's days at CBS News in the 1950s, with a bit of "Mad Men" thrown in. Yes, there is sex, sexism and tons of drinking and smoking and people desperate to advance their careers. Plus, you get tons of a crumbling social class system in post-World-War-II Britain.

I am really, really, really impressed by the performance of West in this series. BBC America made three of the six hours available, and I sped through them like a quart of mint ice cream on a hot summer's night. And after three hours, I still don't know quite what to make of West's character, Hector Madden. But I am fascinated by him and the younger female producer who is his boss -- and what's going on between them.

And then, there's Wendell Pierce, actively engaged citzen of New Orleans and the united States. He's opening Sterling Farms fresh food groceries in his hometown, and yesterday, he tweeted about meeting with President Obama on other matters.

Eleven hours ago, Pierce also retweeted Idris Elba, who wrote this about the rioting in the UK: "I'm in London and this is (expletive). The Protesters and Rioters are not the same people anymore. Stupidity."